ob dylan speechtt Best of Spain Madrid, Segovia, Toledo, Cordoba, Seville, Valencia, Barcelona, San Sebastian, Bilbao, Avila, Santiago de Compostela

Transcription

1 ob dylan speechtt Best of Spain Madrid, Segovia, Toledo, Cordoba, Seville, Valencia, Barcelona, San Sebastian, Bilbao, Avila, Santiago de Compostela

2 TOUR DETAILS Best of Spain Price: $6,795 USD Discounts: 5% - Returning Volant Customer Duration: 30 days Date: March-October Difficulty: Easy Inclusions All accommodations (2-3 star) All meals Transportation throughout tour Airport transfers Personal guide Exclusions International airfare (to Airport) Entrance fees to museums and other attractions not listed in Inclusions Personal items: Laundry, shopping, etc. Traveler s insurance Highlights Madrid Royal Site of San Lorenze de El Escorial Roman Aqueduct of Segovia El Greco Museum Flamenco Performance at El Cardenal Seville Cathedral Rock of Gibraltar St. Michael's Cave Gibralfaro Castle Plaza de Toros Cave of Nerja Alhambra & Albaicin Cazorla Nature Park City of Arts and Sciences Sagrada Familia Guggenheim Museum Santillana del Mar Picos de Europa Santiago de Compostela Galician Coast Castle of La Mota Wall of Avila

3 Best of Spain - 30 Days / 29 Nights Itinerary - ITINERARY DAY ACTIVITY LOCATION - MEALS International Flight Arrive: Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) Transfer to hotel and enjoy a warm welcome dinner Full day walking tour of Madrid highlights; Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, Buen Retiro Park, Royal Palace of Madrid, Palacio de Cibeles, Prado National Museum & Paseo del Prado Train ride to El Escorial (90m) Tour the Royal Site of San Lorenze de El Escorial Continue to Valle de los Caidos Memorial Return to Madrid (90m) Train ride to Segovia (2hrs) Tour Segovian highlights; Old Town, Alcazar, Cathedral & Aqueduct of Segovia Return to Madrid (2hrs) Train ride to Toledo (30m) Tour Toledo highlights; Toledo Cathedral, Alcazar, Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes, Puente de Bisagra, Old Town & El Greco Museum Relaxed evening or live music opportunities at the Circula de Arte of El Ultimo Train ride to Cordoba (3hrs) Tour Cordoba highlights; Great Mosque of Cordoba, Roman Bridge & the Plaz de las Tendillas Evening Flamenco performance at El Cardenal Train ride to Seville (45m) Tour Seville highlights; Seville Cathedral & the Alcazar of Seville Evening stroll along the Guadalquivir River Continue exploring Seville Visit the University, Plaza de Espana, Golden Tower and the Macarena Basilica Transfer to Gibraltar in private vehicle (2hrs) Summit the Rock of Gibraltar, explore St. Michael's Cave, visit the mosque at Europa Point Continue to Malaga (1hr40m) Full day sightseeing tour of Malaga Visit Gibralfaro Castle & Malaga's Cathedral Stroll along the turquoise waters of Costa del Sol Day trip to Ronda (90m) Tour the oldest bullring in Spain, the Arab Baths, Mondragon Palace & Cuenca Gardens Return to Malaga (90m) Transfer to Nerja (45m) Tour the Cave of Nerja, hike trough the Almijarra Natural Park, view the gran vistas at the Cliffs of Maro-Cerro Gordo Continue to Granada (1hr) Full day sightseeing tour of Granada Visit Alhambra, Albaicin and Mirador de San Nicolas Madrid Welcome Dinner & Orientation Madrid El Escorial - Madrid Segovia - Madrid Toledo Cordoba Seville Seville Gibraltar - Malaga Malaga Ronda - Malaga Nerja - Granada Granada

4 DAY 14 ACTIVITY Scenic road trip to Cazorla Nature Park Explore the stunning canyons, long olive groves and tantalizing lakes Continue to Valencia (3.5hrs) LOCATION - MEALS Cazorla Nature Park - Valencia Full day walking tour of Valencia's highlights; Valencia Cathedral, San Juan del Hospital Church, Plaza de la Virgen, Church of San Nicolas & the City of Arts and Sciences Train ride to Barcelona (5.5hrs) Transfer to hotel and enjoy a relaxed evening Full day walking tour of Barcelona Explore gothic Quarter, Park Guell, Sagrada Familia, Casa Mila, La Rambla, and the Montjuic Continue discovering the wonders of Barcelona Visit the Barcelona Cathedral and the Barceloneta Train ride to Zaragoza (2hrs) Tour the Basilica de Nuestra Senora del Pilar, La Seo del Salvador & the Palacio de la Aljaferia Continue to Pamplona (2hrs) Visit the Plaza del Castillo, Cathedral & the Ciudadela de Pamplona Continue to San Sebastian (1hr) Enjoy a full day in San Sebastian Explore La Cocha, Urgull Hill, Monte Igeldo Mountains, Bay of Biscay, Buen Pastor Cathedral, Plaza de Guipuzkoa, Iglesia de Santa Maria del Coro & Old Town Transfer to Bilbao (90m) Tour Bilbao highlights; Guggenheim Museum & Basque Coast Continue to Santander (90m) Full day in Santander Explore the local beaches,palace, lighthouse & gorgeous Peninsula of Magdalena Day trip to Santillana del Mar (30m) Tour the Plaza de Ramon Pelayo, Collegiate Church of Santillana del Mar, Cave of Altamira Return to Santander (30m) Road trip to Covadonga and Picos de Europa National Park (1hr40m) Continue to Oviedo (1hr10m) Scenic road trip to Santiago de Compostela (3hrs) Half day walking tour of local highlights; Cathedral, Alameda Park & Old Town Day trip to Galician Coast Return to Santiago de Compostela Transfer to Leon (3.5hrs) Tour the Leon Cathedral, Basilica de San Isidora, Palacio Episcopal & the Arco de la Carcel Continue to Valladolid and tour the Spanish Gothic San Pablo Church (2hrs) Valencia Barcelona Barcelona Barcelona Zaragoza - Pamplona - San Sebastian San Sebastian Bilbao - Santander Santander Santillana del Mar - Santander Picos de Europa - Oviedo Santiago de Compostela Santiago de Compostela - Galician Coast Leon - Valladolid

5 DAY ACTIVITY LOCATION - MEALS Transfer to Medina del Campo (30m) Tour the Castle of La Mota Continue to Salamanca (1hr) Transfer to Avila (1hr) Tour the Avila Cathedral & the Wall of Avila Continue to Madrid (90m) Castillo de Medina - Salamanca Avila - Madrid 30 Depart: Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) Madrid Breakfast

6 TOUR MAP NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN Bay of Biscay Palace of Versailles Rennes Fontainebleau Le Mans Angers Orléans Loire Valley Puy du Fou Tours FRANCE Santiago de Compostela G a l i c i a Picos de Europa Santillana del Mar Santander Bordeaux Porto Oviedo C o r d i l l e r a C a n t a b r i c a León Burgos Guimarãres Valladolid Bilbao B a s q u e Pamplona San Sebastián Toulouse Pyrénées National Park P y r e n e e s ANDORRA Nîmes Montpellier Gulf of Lion Salamanca Castillo de Medina Sintra Lisbon Coimbra Tomar PORTUGAL Évora Segovia Ávila S i e r r a d e G r e d o s El Escorial Cáceres Toledo Merida Madrid SPAIN Albacete Zaragonza Buñol Valencia Balearic Sea Barcelona Menorca NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN Serra de Monchique Cadiz Tangier S i e r r a A r a c e n a Seville S i e r r a M o r e n a Ronda Cordoba Granada S i e r r a N e v a d a Málaga Rock of Gibraltar Nerja Alboran Sea Cazorla Natural Park Cartagena Mallorca Ibiza Mediterranean Sea Algiers Rabat Fes ALGERIA V Casablanca MOROCCO V O L A N T

7 DAY 1: BEGIN YOUR JOURNEY! Board your overnight flight to Madrid-Barajas Airport(MAD) - not included. Your Volant guide will pick you up at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. Enjoy a welcome dinner and a leisurely evening. DAY 2: WELCOME TO MADRID Enjoy a full day walking tour of Madrid's highlights. Begin in the heart of this Spanish capital at Puerta del Sol. Heads towards Plaza Mayor to experience its iconic San Miguel Market. Wander through the green gardens at Buen Retiro Park. Tour the Royal Palace of Madrid, Palacio de Cibeles and the Prado National Museum to better grasp the history and culture of this city. Watch as the sun sets and locals emerge to celebrate life with great food, drink, music and company. Revel in the the sizzling nightlife scene and stroll along the iconic Paseo del Prado.

8 DAY 3: MADRID - EL ESCORIAL Climb aboard the Cercania train and begin your half day trip to the Royal Site of San Lorenze de El Escorial. Also referred to as the historical residence of the King of Spain, this site functions as a monastery, basilica, royal palace, pantheon, library, museum, university and hospital. Continue to Valle de los Caidos to discover the controversy and ancient charm of this memorial; honoring those who fell fighting during the Spanish Civil War. In the afternoon return to Madrid to further explore this vibrant and bustling capital. DAY 4: MADRID - SEGOVIA Rise early and embark on today's day trip to Segovia. Enjoy a half day sightseeing tour of Segovian highlights. Wander through Old Town and explore the impressively preserved Roman aqueduct built in 50 A.D. Tour the remarkable Alcazar (Royal Palace) and the Segovia Cathedral. Continue to the Royal Palace of La Granja de San Ildefonso and explore the Versailles inspired gardens and palace. In the afternoon return to Madrid.

9 DAY 5: TOLEDO Leaving Madrid in the dust for the time being, continue onward to Toledo. A city built on the coexistence of Christian, Muslin and Jewish cultures, Toledo is home to an impressive list of cultural and monumental heritage. Be sure to explore the Toledo Cathedral, Alcazar, Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes and the Puente de Bisagra. For those who may be interested Toledo is also the location of El Greco Museum. Built in 1911 this museum displays much of Greco's artwork from the late 1500s. In the afternoon scale the Mirador del Valle for sweeping views of Old Town. Enjoy a relaxed evening at your leisure or seek out live music at the Circula de Arte Toledo or El Ultimo. DAY 6: CÓRDOBA Enjoy a morning train ride to the once capital of Islamic Spain. Dive into the rich cultural history that is preserved today through architecture, food and dance. Explore the historic center of Cordoba, which was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984 for its many mosques, synagogues and churches. Be sure to tour the one of the 12 Treasures of Spain, the Great Mosque of Cordoba, its neighboring Roman Bridge and the vibrant Plaza de las Tendillas. In the evening enjoy a world class Flamenco Show in Cordoba's very own El Cardenal. Considered to be some of the best Flamenco performances in the world, El Cardenal puts on a show that you wont forget.

10 DAY 7-8: SEVILLE After a morning transfer to the Jewel of Andalucia, enjoy a full day sightseeing tour of Seville's highlights. Made an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, the Seville Cathedral is the largest Gothic cathedral in the world and is considered to be one of the 12 Treasures of Spain. As the third largest church in the world, the Seville Cathedral also happens to be the final resting place of Christopher Columbus. Check out Columbus' diary, housed in the museum of the Indies and continue to the breathtaking Alcazar of Seville. This renowned Spanish palace is the oldest royal palace still in use throughout all of Europe. Stroll through the fountain-filled gardens and soak in the magical ambience that lives in the halls of this prestigious building. Use the afternoon at your leisure or rest up for another evening in Spain. Wander along the streets encompassed by the Guadalquivir River to get a taste of Seville's nightlife. Enjoy the local beverage of choice, the Tinto de Verano or any number of the delicious tapas. Day two in Seville will be dedicated to the continued exploration of this historic city. Use the day to investigate the sights that you didn't get to the day before. Tour the University or the Old Tobacco Factory. Enjoy the hustle and bustle in the public plazas such as the Plaza de España or the Plaza de Toros. View the Golden Tower or the Macarena Basilica. Whatever you decide, the choice is yours.

11 DAY 9: GIBRALTAR - MALAGA Rise early and embark out on a scenic road trip to the southern tip of Spain to a British territory most famous for its Rock of Gibraltar. This massive limestone rock rises 1,396 feet out of the sea to create one of the smallest countries in the world. This town isn't just a rock covered by monkeys, it also contains a huge web of underground tunnel systems that the military still uses to practice their tunnel warfare. Summit the rock, explore St. Michael's Cave, visit the mosque at Europa Point and don't let the cute monkeys fool you. In the afternoon continue to Malaga.

12 DAY 10: MALAGA Enjoy a full day sightseeing tour of Picasso's birthplace. Be sure to visit the museum converted palace that houses some of his most famous pieces. Tour the grand 11th century Gibralfaro Castle and Malaga's Cathedral. Experience the towns unique tapas bars and delicious eats. Spend a relaxing evening walking along the gorgeous beaches and dip your toes in the turquoise waters along Costa del Sol. DAY 11: MALAGA - RONDA Escape the coast for a day and tour the astonishing town of Ronda. Perched high above a mountaintop, the prehistoric city of Rhonda exhibits an unique architectural richness with a stunning natural backdrop. Three bridges span the deep gorge that separates old town and new town. Walk along all three for sweeping views of the town and the gorge itself, El Tajo. Visit the Plaza de Toros, the oldest bullring in Spain and the Arab Baths, the best preserved bathhouse in the country. The Mondragon Palace offers great examples of Roman and Moorish tombs and the Cuenca Gardens are a must see. In the evening head back to Malaga.

13 DAY 12: NERJA - GRANADA Today explore one of Spain's most iconic attractions, the Cave of Nerja. Located in the hills above the town of Nerja, this cave is home to Paleolithic paintings and striking geology composites. Hike through the Almijarra Natural Park, view the grand vistas at the Cliffs of Maro-Cerro Gordo, explore the aqueduct of Aguila or take a dip at one of Nerja's twelve gorgeous beaches. After a full day among some of Spain's most remarkable scenery, transfer to Granada.

14 DAY 13: GRANADA After a relaxed morning head out to experience Alhambra. Located at the base of the Sierra Nevadas this fortress is considered to be the last Moorish stronghold in Europe with sweeping views of the city. Stroll through the grand Cyprus tree studded gardens at Generalife and explore this Treasure of Spain. Proceed to the the narrow streets of Albaicín in the old Muslim quarter for fine examples of Moorish architecture. Continue to the Mirador de San Nicolas and watch as the fortress and mountains glow in the sunset.

15 DAY 14: CAZORLA NATURE PARK Rise early and enjoy a scenic drive to Cazorla Nature Park. Spend the day in this enchanted forest with the wild boar and deer. Explore the stunning canyons, long olive groves and tantalizing lakes. In the afternoon continue onward to Valencia. DAY 15: VALENCIA Venture into the city for a full day walking tour of Valencia's highlights. Discover the authentic Chalice used by Jesus in The Last Supper, now kept in the Valencia Cathedral. Visit the city's oldest church, San Juan del Hospital Church, the central market and the Plaza de la Virgen. Explore the Church of San Nicolas; known for its "Valencian Sistine Chapel." Tour the City of Arts and Sciences for sights of this entertainment based cultural and architectural complex. In the evening head to the shores of the Balearic Sea and enjoy the white sandy beaches at your leisure.

16 DAY 16-18: BARCELONA Enjoy a scenic train ride along the coast to the capital and largest city of Catalonia. Spend the remainder of the day at your leisure. Stroll through the streets to explore the nightlife or relax in your accommodations. Embark out on a full day walking tour of Barcelona. Stroll through the famous narrow alleys of the Gothic Quarter. Explore the unique gardens of Park Güell. Tour the Sagrada Familia, the Casa Mila and any other of Antoni Gaudi's architectural masterpieces. Discover Barcelona's most famous street, La Rambla, to get a taste of the hustle and bustle of Barcelona. Watch street performers, shop at the Boqueria Market and enjoy the many bars and restaurants along this iconic Spanish paseo. Scale Montjuic and visit the Palau Nacional. Make sure to experience the unique nightlife of this incredible city. Spend your second full day in Barcelona visiting any number of the sights that didn't fit into the day before. Pop over to the Barceloneta for pristine sights of the Balearic Sea. Tour the Museu Picasso to learn about this incredibly famous artist. Visit the Barcelona Cathedral or just relax and explore the delicious food culture in the area.

17 DAY 19: ZARAGOZA - PAMPLONA - SAN SEBASTIÁN Say goodbye to the Balearic Sea and climb aboard one of Europe's fastest trains. Spend time exploring Zaragoza and its many architectural wonders including the Basilica de Nuestra Senora del Pilar, La Seo del Salvador or the Palacio de la Aljaferia. After lunch continue to Pamplona. Tour the city famously known for its Running of the Bulls Festival, visit the Plaza del Castillo, the Cathedral and the Ciudadela de Pamplona. Transfer to San Sebastian for the evening. DAY 20: SAN SEBASTIÁN Enjoy a full day in San Sebastian. Stroll along the immaculate beaches of La Concha. Scale the Urgull Hill and witness sights of the Monte Igeldo mountains as well as the Bay of Biscay. Visit the Buen Pastor Cathedral, the Plaza de Guipuzkoa and the Iglesia de Santa Maria del Coro. For those who may be interested the Funicular de Igueldo offers sweeping views of the La Concha Bay and the city itself. In the evening head to Old Town to experience the best of San Sebastian's sizzling nightlife.

18 DAY 21: BILBAO - SANTANDER After a morning transfer to Bilbao hop over to the shimmering titanium Guggenheim Museum for a spectacular display of modern and contemporary art. Known to be one of the 12 Treasures of Spain, this museum is also one of the largest in Spain. Use the remainder of the afternoon exploring the city at your leisure or head to the Basque Coast for picturesque cliffs and beaches. In the evening transfer to Santander.

19 DAY 22: SANTANDER Set out for a full day tour of Santander. Explore the local beaches; Playa del Sardinero, Playa de Castaneda, and Playa de la Concha. Hike out to the lighthouse at El Sardinero for sweeping views of the coastline or explore the gorgeous Peninsula of Magdalena. The city itself offers intriguing cultural attractions but nothing compared to the picturesque beach scenes at Liencres. DAY 23: SANTILLANA DEL MAR Today will be dedicated to exploring a town known for containing some of the most well preserved medieval villages in all of Europe. Discover the "prettiest village in Spain" by wandering though the Plaza de Ramon Pelayo. Tour the Collegiate Church of Santillana del Mar and visit the Cave of Altamira. As the day comes to its end return to Santander for one final night. DAY 24: PICOS DE EUROPA - OVIEDO Transfer to Covadonga to discover the breathtaking Picos de Europa mountains. Declared a National Park in 1918 this area is centered around the Lakes of Covadonga. Witness the grand vistas and continue to Oviedo where you'll find yourself in the capital of Spain's Asturias region. Famous for its medieval old town, Oviedo contains gorgeous architecture and unspoiled scenery. Use the remainder of the day discovering the beauty in both the local culture as well as the local natural landscapes. Spend the evening at your leisure.

20 DAY 25-26: SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA - GALICIAN COAST Rise early and drive through northern Spain to Santiago de Compostela. Tour the stunning cathedral and follow the great pilgrimage that ends there. This pilgrimage, known as the Camino de Santiago, follows the historic path of the Biblical apostle St. John to his final resting place within the cathedral. Use the day to get acquainted with this historic area and visit Old Town, Botafumeiro, Plaza del Obradoiro and the Monasterio de San Martin Pinario. Day two in the area will be dedicated to the exploration of the Spain's Galicia region. Visit the many villages and beaches off the Galician Coast and if time permits stroll along the white sandy shores for a glorious sunset over the Atlantic. In the evening return inland and be sure to try Santiago de Compostela's most iconic dish: octopus. The seafood doesn't stop there, the entire Galicia region contains arguably the best seafood in Europe.

21 DAY 27: LEÓN - VALLADOLID Venture east of Santiago de Compostela and tour the city of Leon. Examine the local highlights such as the Leon Cathedral, the Basilica de San Isidora, Palacio Episcopal and the Arco de la Carcel. In the afternoon continue to Valladolid for a half day walking tour of the medieval religious landmarks such as the Spanish Gothic San Pablo Church. DAY 28: CASTILLO DE MEDINA - SALAMANCA Only a short drive south of Valladolid, the city of Medina del Campo is known for its Castle of La Mota. Tour the medieval fortress and continue to Salamanca for the night.

22 DAY 29: ÁVILA - MADRID A short drive from here brings you to the city of Avila. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985 this Spanish town is famous for its perfectly preserved medieval walls. Visit this 12 century masterpiece and tour the Avila Cathedral. Continue to Madrid in the afternoon for one last evening in Spain. DAY 30: TOUR ENDS -DEPART Although no group activities have been scheduled today your Volant guide will ensure timely arrivals to the Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) where you will depart home. Thank you for choosing Volant and safe travels.

23 CONTACT VOLANT ONLINE CALL U.S Tour Specialist: MAIL 4110 S Highland Dr. Suite #322 Salt Lake City, UT 84124